My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

58  Chapter 58: The Turmoil of the Demon-Exorcising Convention

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Fa Xi Temple, in front of the mountain gate.

After climbing a thousand stone steps and winding through a hundred curves and turns, the faint tranquillity under the shade of trees was mingled with the elegant fragrance of flowers, ceaselessly adding a touch of magic to the ancient temple. In this secluded atmosphere, one could sense a hint of melancholy and a whisper of the vicissitudes of time.

An Jing panted as he reached the summit, hands bracing his knees as he took deep breaths, "Tan Yun, quickly hand me the water skin."

"Hmph!"

Tan Yun grumpily tossed the water skin to An Jing.

The girl was still angry. Next time, I'd better buy her more pastries to make up for it.

An Jing unscrewed the water skin and gulped down a big mouthful of water, then turned to look back, only to see that Zhao Qingmei was following at an unhurried pace.

"Husband, are you tired? Let me wipe your sweat."

Zhao Qingmei took out her personal handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from An Jing's forehead. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

So fragrant.

Instantly, a refreshing fragrance filled his nostrils, causing An Jing's spirit to ripple.

"Third Master, who would have thought you're actually in such good shape?" An Jing said with a laugh as he glanced at Li Fuzhou.

While Three Temple Mountain was small, it took the four of them nearly half an hour to finally reach the mountain gate of Fa Xi Temple.

Logically speaking, it was normal for Zhao Qingmei, a young lady from a family of officials, to have learned some basic martial arts and to be strong and vigorous without breaking a sweat. But for an old scholar like Li Fuzhou, who indulged in the nightlife of courtesans, to maintain such composure was quite abnormal.

"I'm well-versed in the ways of nurturing my health, so naturally, my physique is not bad," Li Fuzhou said indifferently.

Tan Yun thought to herself: What does this little doctor know? My master can travel eight hundred li by day and a thousand li by night; what's a little mountain path to him?

"Indeed, enjoying the company of courtesans every night, that must be Third Master's way of nurturing your health," An Jing said with a chuckle.

"You don't understand the affairs of scholars," Li Fuzhou said, giving An Jing a look that said 'what do you know', "There's an art to enjoying the company of courtesans, a profound knowledge in every minute detail, skill hidden within the superficial."

The affairs of scholars, can you call it engaging in prostitution? No, that's enjoying courtesans and music.

An Jing gave Li Fuzhou a glance, thinking to himself: I used to be a scholar too, but I sure didn't say so.

The group followed the mountain path toward the interior of Fa Xi Temple.

"This incense is for worship," said a handsome young monk, offering a bundle of incense sticks to An Jing as they approached.

"Thank you."

An Jing took thirty coins from his purse and put them into the Merit Box, then swept a glance and couldn't help but be amazed, "There are so many constables from the government offices; it looks like a large portion of Yu State City's constable divisions have come."

After entering the mountain gate was the Heavenly King Hall, and apart from the numerous tourists and pilgrims offering incense, there were scattered constables.

Among these tourists were also some individuals from the Jianghu, whose purpose was not merely to visit Fa Xi Temple, but likely to attend Cao Gang's demon-exorcising meeting.

"It's quite lively," said Tan Yun, whose nature was to enjoy such bustling scenes, and she couldn't help but feel happy at the sight of so many people.

"Lady, why don't you roam around? I'm terribly exhausted," An Jing said instinctively, supporting his waist and sighing.

He still had important matters to attend to and naturally couldn't follow Zhao Qingmei and the others.

"Alright, Tan Yun and I will go offer some incense. Later, we'll visit the Reincarnation Hall to see the water and land ceremony," Zhao Qingmei said, and then glanced at Li Fuzhou, instructing, "Third Master, you just stick with our son-in-law."

"No need, I'll rest for a while, then go find Han Wenxin. Third Master, you wanted to see the water and land ceremony as well, didn't you? Don't interrupt his enjoyment," An Jing waved his hand dismissively.

Having this old man Li tagging along would only cause trouble when it came time to slip away.

Zhao Qingmei insisted, "After you find Han Wenxin, let Third Master go to offer incense. It's inconvenient not to have someone by your side."

There were countless martial arts experts within Fa Xi Temple, and if they were to harm her husband, that would be unfortunate.

Zhao Qingmei headed off with Tan Yun towards the Grand Hall in the distance to offer incense.

An Jing gave Li Fuzhou a sidelong glance and sighed deeply.

For some reason, Zhao Qingmei always insisted on having old man Li follow him; then a thought crossed An Jing's mind—could it be that Qingmei was purposely having him watched?

Little doctor, do you think I want to follow you?

Li Fuzhou, seeing An Jing's look, scoffed in his heart. If the Sect Hierarch hadn't been worried about you being stewed by someone, why would I go through such trouble?

Just then, An Jing spotted a familiar figure in the distance and couldn't help but call out, "Arrest Officer Qin, where's that youngster Han Wenxin?"

That man was indeed one of the only two arrest officers of Yu State City, Qin. At that moment, he was clutching his stomach, seemingly laughing so hard that he was bent over.

"Oh, him? He's squatting in the side hall corridor," Qin said, trying to suppress his laughter, "You better go have a look."

"What happened?"

An Jing, upon seeing Qin's difficulty in containing his amusement, asked curiously.

He was planning on having Han Wenxin look after Zhao Qingmei and the others. With him there, the riffraff of Jianghu should not dare to be too presumptuous.

"You'll see when you go there. I can't quite explain it," Qin replied.

Curious, An Jing quickly made his way to the corridor ahead.

"Brother Han, Brother Han!"

At the end of the corridor, a burly man dressed in a constable uniform was squatting with his face to the wall.

By his build, it would undoubtedly be Han Wenxin.

Upon hearing An Jing's voice, Han Wenxin turned his body around and removed the fighting hat from his head.

The moment he turned around, An Jing was startled and exclaimed, "You... who are you? Why are you wearing Brother Han's clothes?"

This person's face was nothing like a human's, swollen and bruised beyond recognition, not a single part of it unmarred, looking like a pig's head—an image even more exaggerated than Zhou Xianming had been.

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"Oh... oh my goodness, Han Wenxin!" The person's voice carried a hint of a sob, and from the tone, one could detect a familiar note.

"Is that you, Han Wenxin?" An Jing gulped and asked somewhat uncertainly.

How had things come to this?

Li Fuzhou also followed and, looking astonished, exclaimed, "Had you not spoken, I would have truly thought that a pig had stood up."

"I... I really am Han Wenxin," Han Wenxin said with a mournful expression.

"Prove it," An Jing frowned and said with a hint of uncertainty, "How do you prove that you are Han Wenxin?"

Han Wenxin held up three fingers, asserting solemnly, "I, Han Wenxin, would rather die than touch gambling or drugs."

"It really is you, kid."

Upon hearing this, An Jing felt sure in his heart. This person was undoubtedly Han Wenxin—the very arrest officer who never spoke of the yellow character.

"What in the world happened to you?"

Wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes, Han Wenxin said, "I... I might have been infected by Zhou Xianming. Last night, while I was lying in bed at home, a man in black suddenly burst in and asked, 'So you're the kid Han Wenxin?' We three had drinks last night, drank too much, and I was a bit confused, so I told the man yes, and what of it? Little did I know that the man in black would start beating me without another word ..."

An Jing said, puzzled, "This really is bizarre."

Zhou Xianming was a scholar without the strength to truss a chicken, whereas Han Wenxin was the chief constable of Yu State City. What sort of grudge or grievance could the man in black have with them that he would beat them so violently?

Moreover, it seemed the grudge between him and Han Wenxin was deeper than with Zhou Xianming.

A mysterious figure in black appeared in Yu State City, specializing in bullying the weak and beating others? Even the chief constable had suffered—this man in black must be no ordinary individual.

There's an old saying that aptly fits the situation: "A Daoist would rather let his comrade die than be poor himself."

"I truly don't know what I did to offend him," Han Wenxin lamented.

"Sigh."

An Jing patted Han Wenxin on the shoulder and said, "Given your way of speaking, it's normal for you to unknowingly offend people."

Han Wenxin was about to retort when he was distracted by a beautiful sight.

Han Wenxin nudged An Jing, excitedly saying, "Look, that's Miss Cao of the Cao family, a famous beauty of Yu State who is said to be unmarried. Hey, she's walking towards us."

An Jing followed the sound and saw Cao Ling'er dressed in light purple clothes that gave her an ethereal air, stepping forward in embroidered shoes with a lotus gait.

He was of course familiar with Cao Ling'er, whose Yin Energy he had once cured.

Han Wenxin quickly donned his hat in a fluster, not wanting to be presumptuous before the young lady.

"Doctor An, Miss Ling'er greets you," Cao Ling'er approached An Jing and bowed slightly before saying in a delicate voice.

An Jing smiled and asked, "Miss Cao, no need for formalities. I wonder if your health has improved recently?"

Cao Ling'er replied gratefully, "I've improved a lot. Without Doctor An's miraculous healing, Ling'er might still be unconscious."

Miraculous healing?

The envious fire blazed up in Han Wenxin, standing by—they shouted inside his head: Miss Cao, if Doctor An can perform miraculous healings, so can I.

An Jing, curious, asked, "That's great to hear. I was told by Madam Cao that you were infected with Yin Energy at Fa Xi Temple. How is it that today ..."

Cao Ling'er hesitated for a moment and then replied, "Doctor An might not know since you aren't a member of Jianghu. Today is the gathering organized by Cao Gang to invite the four major families and powers from throughout Jiangnan Dao. It's said they're going to present the beheading of the captured legendary swordsman."

An Jing knew what day it was but didn't expect the Cao family to take it so seriously, even having Cao Ling'er, who had recently recovered from a serious illness, attend.

"Doctor An, please be careful," Cao Ling'er said quietly, biting her tender lip.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Cao. With Constable Han here, I should be fine," An Jing said with a smile, even though he felt something strange deep down. Seeing the expression on Cao Ling'er's face, it seemed today's demon exorcising conference wasn't going to be simple.

"All right, Ling'er must be going now. I'll thank Doctor An for saving my life another time."

Cao Ling'er nodded and then quickly walked towards the depths of Fa Xi Temple.

"Brother An, there's something off about that Cao Ling'er," Han Wenxin said with a weird expression after she had left.

"Son-in-law, remember always: emotions should be restrained by etiquette. Do not commit a misstep," Li Fuzhou nodded, seeming to agree with Han Wenxin's words.

"What's off? Isn't she perfectly fine and normal? You all are just prone to thinking too much," An Jing said, eyeing Li Fuzhou guiltily, "Third Master, didn't you say you wanted to go think over the Three-Life Stone? I just saw it to the left side of Heavenly King Hall."

"Fine, in that case, you enjoy yourself," Li Fuzhou said, feeling reassured seeing Han Wenxin with An Jing.

An Jing was just an ordinary doctor; it was unlikely he'd provoke an upper-class martial artist from Jianghu. If only some minor figures from Jianghu caused trouble, having Han Wenxin nearby should suffice to handle it.

Fate had seemingly bound Han Wenxin and the minor figures of Jianghu together.

With that, Li Fuzhou walked off into the distance.

"Where is the demon exorcising conference hosted by Cao Gang being held?" An Jing couldn't help asking as he watched Li Fuzhou leave.

Han Wenxin replied, "It's in the Reincarnation Hall, said to be before the water and land ritual."

"I see," An Jing nodded, the glint in his eyes turning deep, yet he began to worry. It seemed Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun were heading to Reincarnation Hall.

"What's that old man following you for?" Han Wenxin eyed Li Fuzhou's retreating figure and then, seeing An Jing's reaction, suddenly realized, "Is he the mole?"

"Let's not talk about that now. Help me out, will you?" An Jing wrapped his arm around Han Wenxin with a smile.

"What's up? If it's looking after Miss Cao or Tan Yun, I'd be happy to—though I'd need to think about which one to care for first."

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